Australian rugby
Deans releases quartet to face Lions
ESPN Staff
June 13, 2013
The Waratahs' David Dennis talks to team-mates during the match against Melbourne Rebels, New South Wales Waratahs v Melbourne Rebels, Allianz Stadium, Stadium, March 1, 2013
New South Wales Waratahs skipper Dave Dennis will bolster the pack when they face the Lions © Getty Images
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Four players are being released from the Wallabies training camp in Queensland to participate in the next two matches of the British and Irish Lions tour.

New South Wales Waratahs captain Dave Dennis, and inside centre Rob Horne, will depart the Sunshine Coast on Thursday night to join up with their state side ahead of Saturday night's bumper clash against the Lions at Alliance Stadium.

The Brumbies pair of utility forward Peter Kimlin and prop Scott Sio will return to Canberra at the end of the camp on Friday, remaining in the nation's capital until after the Brumbies' much-anticipated match against the tourists on Tuesday night.

Both players featured in last week's 39-17 win over the Melbourne Rebels in Super Rugby, with Kimlin finishing that match as captain as the Brumbies all but assured themselves of a home play-off as winners of the Australian conference.

The decision of Wallabies coach Robbie Deans to release the quartet gives the Waratahs and Brumbies a boost, while also guaranteeing the players more rugby - and valuable exposure to the tourists' playing style - prior to the start of the Test series, in Brisbane on June 22.

All four players will return to the Wallabies squad after the tour matches. The Wallabies team for the first Test of the Tom Richards Cup series will be announced on Thursday, June 20.

Dennis featured in all 15 Tests played by the Wallabies last year, during his debut Test season, while Horne lends the experience of 14 previous caps to the Waratahs' cause.

Australian Sevens representatives Bernard Foley and Matt Lucas were released from their duties with the national on Wednesday night side so they can also feature in Saturday night's tour match.

The Waratahs team to play the Lions will be announced on Friday.

Kimlin has played two Tests for the Wallabies, while rising star Sio scored his maiden try in Super Rugby last week.

Greg Growden and Russell Barwick discuss the Wallabies
© ESPN Australia / New Zealand

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